Chapter I: Preface

The present work has been written in order that students may gain by its perusal some idea of the methods and scope of Stratigraphical Geology. I believe that this idea can be obtained most satisfactorily, if a large number of the details connected with the study of the stratified rocks are omitted, and I have accordingly given very brief accounts of the strata of the different Systems.

The work is intended for use in conjunction with any book which treats of the strata of the Geological Column at considerable length; some of these books are mentioned on pages 124, 125.

J. E. M.

Cambridge,
_November, 1898_.

CONTENTS.

PAGE
CHAPTER I.
Introduction 1

CHAPTER II.
Account of the growth and progress of stratigraphical geology 6

CHAPTER III.
Nature of the stratified rocks 21

CHAPTER IV.
The law of superposition 31

CHAPTER V.
The test of included organisms 40

CHAPTER VI.
Methods of classification of the strata 58

CHAPTER VII.
Simulation of structures 72

CHAPTER VIII.
Geological maps and sections 84

CHAPTER IX.
Evidences of conditions under which strata were formed 97

CHAPTER X.
Evidences of conditions under which strata were formed, continued 116

CHAPTER XI.
The classification of the stratified rocks 125

CHAPTER XII.
The Precambrian rocks 132

CHAPTER XIII.
Cycles of change in the British area 149

CHAPTER XIV.
The Cambrian system 152

CHAPTER XV.
The Ordovician system 164

CHAPTER XVI.
The Silurian system and the changes which occurred in Britain
at the close of Silurian times 174

CHAPTER XVII.
The Devonian system 183

CHAPTER XVIII.
The Carboniferous system 192

CHAPTER XIX.
The changes which occurred during the third continental period
in Britain; and the foreign Permo-Carboniferous rocks 202

CHAPTER XX.
The Permian system 209

CHAPTER XXI.
The Triassic system 218

CHAPTER XXII.
The Jurassic system 226

CHAPTER XXIII.
The Cretaceous system 236

CHAPTER XXIV.
The Eocene rocks 244

CHAPTER XXV.
The Oligocene and Miocene periods 251

CHAPTER XXVI.
The Pliocene beds 256

CHAPTER XXVII.
The Pleistocene accumulations 260

CHAPTER XXVIII.
The Steppe period 267

CHAPTER XXIX.
The Forest period 275

CHAPTER XXX.
Remarks on various questions 278

ADDENDA ET CORRIGENDA. [TN: Corrections made!]

p. 38, line 15 from bottom: for 'joining' read 'jointing'

p. 208, line 6 from bottom: for 'Dr' read 'Messrs Medlicott and'

p. 214, line 15 from bottom: after 'Permo-Carboniferous Strata'
insert 'through the Permian'

p. 217, last line of footnote: for 'Dr' read 'Messrs Medlicott and'

" insert a second footnote: 'For information concerning the
Permian volcanic rocks see Sir A. Geikie's _Ancient Volcanoes
of Great Britain_.'

p. 235, insert a footnote: 'A good account of the British Jurassic
rocks will be found in Mr H. B. Woodward's Memoir on
"The Jurassic Rocks of Britain." _Mem. Geol. Survey_,
1893--.'

p. 250, top line: for 'Gardiner' read 'Gardner'